THE GATEWAY TO THE SEA OF CORTEZ

This monument is a set of white arches extending 60 feet into the air to greet you when entering San Felipe on the highway. Built in 1980, this monument was an agreement by the four states enclosing the Sea of Cortez (Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Sonora) to encourage tourism to the Sea of Cortez to those not knowing of its beauty and charm. Jose Lopez Portillo, the President of Mexico, dedicated the monument in 1980 during a four day fiesta, La Fiesta del Mar de Cortez, where special minted coins were sold during the fiesta to help defray the cost for this special landmark of San Felipe. Photos and writing by Lynne M. Ruegger